Anti-Syrian refugee sentiment in Turkey

Last updated

Anti-Syrian sentiment is a discriminatory and racist approach fueled by fear, hatred, insecurity, enmity, humiliation and similar feelings towards Syrians in Turkey. With the Syrian Civil War that started in 2011, Syrians who came to Turkey are exposed to discrimination in many areas. According to researcher Şenay Özden, racist attitudes and discourses towards Syrians in Turkey increased with the thought that refugees are permanent in Turkey. 92% of Syrians living in Turkey state that they are exposed to discrimination. [1]

Contents

In the research conducted by the International Organization for Migration with 636 people, it was determined that nearly half of the participants saw the Syrians as a "less talented race". In addition, one third of the participants stated that they believe that Syrian refugees are not victims of war. Although more than half of the participants stated that they encounter Syrians every day, only 22% of them declared that they had any contact with Syrians. [2]

Economic problems and unemployment in Turkey are associated with Syrian refugees by some. [3] It is stated that these problems strengthen the negative perspective towards Syrians and trigger racism more. Researches reveal that the economically weak part of the public, in particular, sees Syrian refugees as the chief culprit of economic problems. [4] [5] Reports stating that anti-Syrian sentiment is most intensely carried out by those with a weak economic situation, show that the main reason for this is mostly Syrian refugees working in sectors that require cheap labor. [4] [5] [6]

According to the researches, the fact that Syrians work in jobs that require cheap labor causes the salaries of the local people to decrease, which in turn increases the aggressive attitudes towards Syrians. For these reasons, a correlation is established between racist violence attempts against Syrians and Syrians working informally. [7] Anti-Syrian sentiment has increased during election periods. Political parties' making political announcements and statements over Syrians as a voting tool is directly related to the racist attacks that Syrians are exposed to. [8]

There are also those who hold Syrian refugees responsible for the increase in rents and the increase in prices in the markets. According to Metin Çorabatır, head of the Center for Asylum and Migration Studies, the reason for this prejudice and racist attitudes towards Syrians is misinformation on social media. In addition, non-governmental organizations and researchers state that the language and style used for Syrians in the news given by the media trigger racist attacks and behaviors against Syrians, and they accuse anti-Syrian social media posts. [9] [10] The lack of transparency in the aid provided by the state to the Syrians increases the hate speech in the society. [11]

In line with the above, according to a study conducted in Gaziantep in 2021, it was determined that the biggest concern among Syrians was racism and economic problems. [12] Similarly, according to Metin Çorabatır of the Center for Asylum and Migration Studies, all Syrians in Turkey are exposed to racist rhetoric and actions. [9]

Teachers state that some of the Syrian students are constantly in the psychology of exclusion and oppression, and accordingly, behaviors that transcend the limits in rulelessness are observed. Teachers who work in schools with Syrians and have burnout syndrome state that violence at school has increased. [13]

Events

In the Gazipaşa district of Antalya, the municipal council has decided to ban the entry of Syrians to the beaches in Gazipaşa. Mehmet Ali Yılmaz, the mayor of the CHP, who abstained from the voting, said, "Personally, I do not favor discriminating on the basis of their citizenship, ethnic origin or sect; I think it is not right. People should not be allowed to be disturbed. No matter who disturbs them, our police will do what is necessary." The vote, in which AKP and MHP deputies did not vote against, was accepted with the votes of CHP and IYI party deputies. [14] Afterwards, the mayor of the city council returned the decision to the council on the grounds that it did not comply with the laws. In the re-voting, the decision was rejected after the CHP deputies changed their views. [15]

According to a claim on social media, pastry sold to Turks for 1 lira in a restaurant opened in Izmit is sold to Syrians for 5 liras. [16]

Reactions emerged on Twitter under the name #SuriyelilerSuriyeye, (transliteration Syrians to Syria) and many politicians stated that they would solve the refugee problem as an election promise.

As a result of the murder of a Turkish teen by a Syrian on August 12, 2021 in Ankara, protests were carried out across Turkey, and Syrian houses and workplaces were stoned in Ankara. [17]

Beşiktaş fans chanted "I don't want refugees in my country" at the Beşiktaş-Çaykur Rizespor football match on August 13, 2021. [18]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xenophobia</span> Dislike of that which is perceived to be foreign or strange

Xenophobia is the fear or dislike of anything which is perceived as being foreign or strange. It is an expression which is based on the perception that a conflict exists between an in-group and an out-group and it may manifest itself in suspicion of one group's activities by members of the other group, a desire to eliminate the presence of the group which is the target of suspicion, and fear of losing a national, ethnic, or racial identity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Republican People's Party</span> Social-democratic political party in Turkey

The Republican People's Party is a Kemalist and social democratic political party in Turkey. It is the oldest political party in Turkey, founded by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the first president and founder of the modern Turkish Republic. The party is also cited as the founding party of modern Turkey. Its logo consists of the Six Arrows, which represent the foundational principles of Kemalism: republicanism, reformism, laicism (Laïcité/Secularism), populism, nationalism, and statism. It is currently the second largest party in Grand National Assembly with 125 MPs, behind the ruling conservative Justice and Development Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Assyrians in Turkey</span> Ethnic group in the Republic of Turkey

Assyrians in Turkey or Turkish Assyrians are an indigenous Semitic-speaking ethnic group and minority of Turkey who are Eastern Aramaic–speaking Christians, with most being members of the Syriac Orthodox Church, Chaldean Catholic Church, Assyrian Pentecostal Church, Assyrian Evangelical Church, or Ancient Church of the East.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Immigration to Turkey</span> Overview of immigration to Turkey

Immigration to Turkey is the process by which people migrate to Turkey to reside in the country. Many, but not all, become Turkish citizens. After the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire and following Turkish War of Independence, an exodus by the large portion of Turkish (Turkic) and Muslim peoples from the Balkans, Caucasus, Crimea, and Greece took refuge in present-day Turkey and moulded the country's fundamental features. Trends of immigration towards Turkey continue to this day, although the motives are more varied and are usually in line with the patterns of global immigration movements. Turkey's migrant crisis is a following period since the 2010s, characterized by high numbers of people arriving and settling in Turkey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Istanbul Pride</span> Annual LGBT event in Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul Pride is a pride parade and LGBT demonstration held annually in Turkey's biggest city, Istanbul since 2003. Participants assemble in Taksim Square before marching the entire length of İstiklal Avenue. It has been described as the first and biggest LGBT event in Muslim-majority countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xenophobia and discrimination in Turkey</span> Racism and ethnic discrimination in Turkey

In Turkey, xenophobia and discrimination are present in its society and throughout its history, including ethnic discrimination, religious discrimination and institutional racism against non-Muslim and non-Sunni minorities. This appears mainly in the form of negative attitudes and actions by some people towards people who are not considered ethnically Turkish, notably Kurds, Armenians, Arabs, Assyrians, Greeks, Jews, and peripatetic groups like Romani people, Domari, Abdals and Lom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 Turkish local elections</span> Municipal elections in Turkey

Local elections were held in Turkey on 30 March 2014, with some repeated on 1 June 2014. Metropolitan and district mayors as well as their municipal council members in cities, and muhtars and "elderly councils" in rural areas were elected. In light of the controversy around the elections, it was viewed as a referendum on the government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. About 50 million people were eligible to vote.

The following article documents the issues and developments that have formed the basis of the political campaigns and the news agenda in the run-up to the June 2015 general election and the November 2015 general election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Syrians in Germany</span> Residents of Germany of Syrian descent

Syrians in Germany refers to Syrian immigrants in Germany, or Germans with Syrian ancestry. The number of people with an immigration background from Syria, including those with German citizenship, was estimated at around 1,225,000 in 2022. Additionally, the population with Syrian citizenship residing in Germany is 923,000 in 2022, making it the second-largest group of foreign nationals living in the country. Notably, Germany boasts by far the largest Syrian diaspora outside of the Middle East.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Turkish local elections</span> Municipal elections in Turkey

The Turkish local elections of 2019 were held on Sunday 31 March 2019 throughout the 81 provinces of Turkey. A total of 30 metropolitan and 1,351 district municipal mayors, alongside 1,251 provincial and 20,500 municipal councillors were elected, in addition to numerous local non-partisan positions such as neighbourhood representatives (muhtars) and elderly people's councils.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turkish occupation of northern Syria</span> Turkeys military occupation since 2016

The Turkish Armed Forces and its ally the Syrian National Army have occupied areas of northern Syria since August 2016, during the Syrian Civil War. Though these areas nominally acknowledge a government affiliated with the Syrian opposition, in practice they constitute a separate proto-state under the dual authority of decentralized native local councils and Turkish military administration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Syrians in Turkey</span>

Syrians in Turkey, includes Turkish citizens of Syrian origin, Syrian refugees, and other Syrian citizens resident in Turkey. As of January 2024, there are approximately 3,200,000 registered refugees of the Syrian Civil War in Turkey, which hosts the biggest refugee population in the whole world. In addition, almost 80,000 Syrian nationals reside in Turkey with a residence permit. Apart from Syrian refugees under temporary protection and Syrian citizens with a residence permit; 238,055 Syrian nationals acquired Turkish citizenship as of December 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Good Party</span> Political party in Turkey

The Good Party is a nationalist and Kemalist political party in Turkey, established on 25 October 2017 by its current leader Meral Akşener. The party's name and flag is a reference to the tamga of the Kayı tribe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Refugees of the Syrian civil war in Turkey</span>

Refugees of the Syrian civil war in Turkey are the Syrian refugees fleeing the Syrian civil war. The Republic of Turkey hosts over 3.7 million registered refugees.

In Turkey, while most instances of anti-Arab sentiment have been directed at Syrian refugees, the phenomenon has more recently grown to include other Arabs, such as those from the Gulf countries. The country's far-right politics frequently consist of discourse portraying the Syrians and other Arabs as a backwards and uncivilized force afflicting the Turks. Rising levels of anti-Arab sentiment have also been attributed to the Turkish economic crisis. Additionally, it is also rooted in Turkey's migrant crisis, which began alongside the Arab Spring; the Turkish government had documented 3.7 million Syrians as refugees by 2018. That same year, the United Nations reported that 63.4% of all registered Syrian refugees in the world were in Turkey. A number of Turkish politicians have been critical of the large Arab presence in the country since the beginning of the Syrian Civil War; the influx of refugees, which soon tied into the European migrant crisis, became among the factors that stalled talks for Turkey's accession to the European Union in 2016.

Anti-Chechen sentiment, Chechenophobia, anti-Chechenism, or Nokhchophobia, refers to fear, dislike, hostility, hatred, discrimination, and racism towards ethnic Chechens, the Chechen language, or the Chechen culture in general. Anti-Chechen sentiment has been historically strong in Russia, and to some degree has spread to other countries in the former Soviet Union, such as Azerbaijan, to Europe, the Middle East, and to the United States. For decades, the main causes of hatred against Chechens have been largely due to the created narrative which depicts a violent mentality of Chechens, the association of Chechens with Islamic extremism, and Russian imperialist propaganda targeted at Chechens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Altındağ attack</span>

Altındağ Incidents is a protest that took place on 10 August 2021 in Battalgazi neighbourhood of Altındağ district of Ankara, as a result of a quarrel between a Syrian group and 2 young people, and the Syrian group stabbed 2 Turkish young people. As a result of the incident, one of the young people lost his life and 2 people were detained. After this incident, crowded activist groups organized marches. These groups attacked the houses and shops of Syrians. Riot police and riot police were deployed to the tense areas. According to Ankara Security Directorate, 148 people were detained for their involvement in the incidents in Altındağ.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victory Party (Turkey)</span> Political party in Turkey

The Victory Party is a right-wing to far-right, ultranationalist, anti-immigrant political party in Turkey founded on August 26, 2021 under the leadership of Ümit Özdağ. Party was represented in the Grand National Assembly by a single MP, Özdağ himself, until it failed to pass the electoral threshold in the 2023 election and therefore was barred from winning any seats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Turkish presidential election</span>

Presidential elections were held in Turkey in May 2023, alongside parliamentary elections, to elect a president for a term of five years. Dubbed the most important election of 2023, the presidential election went to a run-off for the first time in Turkish history. The election had originally been scheduled to take place on 18 June, but the government moved them forward by a month to avoid coinciding with the university exams, the Hajj pilgrimage and the start of the summer holidays. It is estimated that a total of 64 million voters had the right to cast their votes in elections, 60.9 million in Turkey and 3.2 million abroad.

Turkish–Islamic synthesis is a type of Turkish nationalism which has an Islamist leaning instead of secular.

References

  1. ↑ "Suriyeli algısı: "Irkçılık kalıcı oldukları anlaşıldığında arttı"".
  2. ↑ "Suriyelilere nefret kampanyası". www.cumhuriyet.com.tr (in Turkish). 22 July 2019. Retrieved 2022-04-13.
  3. ↑ Tokyay, Menekse (2020-06-12). "Araştırma: İstanbullular Suriyeli komşularından 'endişeli'". euronews (in Turkish). Retrieved 2022-04-13.
  4. 1 2 "SURİYELİ MÜLTECİLER KRİZİ VE TÜRKİYE SONU GELMEYEN MİSAFİRLİK" (PDF) (in Turkish). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-07-29. Retrieved 2022-04-13.
  5. 1 2 "Growing Anti-Syrian Sentiment in Turkey | The Washington Institute". 2021-01-25. Archived from the original on 2021-01-25. Retrieved 2022-04-13.
  6. ↑ "Araştırma: İstanbul'da Suriyeli sığınmacılara yönelik tehdit algıları kemikleşiyor | Euronews". 2020-06-18. Archived from the original on 2020-06-18. Retrieved 2022-04-13.
  7. ↑ "Türkiye'deki Suriyeliler: Gidenler ve kalanlar ne düşünüyor, onları istemeyenler ne diyor? - BBC News Türkçe". 2019-02-10. Archived from the original on 2019-02-10. Retrieved 2022-04-13.
  8. ↑ "Syrians in Turkey continue to face rise in discrimination | Al Arabiya English". 2021-08-19. Archived from the original on 2021-08-19. Retrieved 2022-04-13.
  9. 1 2 "Abuses against Syrians in Turkey: Fueled by hate speech, amplified by propaganda – Syria Direct". 2021-03-30. Archived from the original on 2021-03-30. Retrieved 2022-04-13.
  10. ↑ "Türkiye'de yaşayan Suriyelilerin ayrımcılıkla mücadelesi | TÜRKİYE | DW | 20.06.2019". Deutsche Welle . 2019-06-21. Archived from the original on 2019-06-21. Retrieved 2022-04-13.
  11. ↑ "Yılbaşı kutlamalarıyla gündeme gelen Suriyeliler ve nefret söylemi | Euronews". 2019-01-05. Archived from the original on 2019-01-05. Retrieved 2022-04-13.
  12. ↑ "En Büyük Kaygıları Irkçılık ve Ekonomik Koşullar". Amerika'nin Sesi | Voice of America - Turkish (in Turkish). 20 June 2021. Retrieved 2022-04-13.
  13. ↑ "Irkçılık ilkokula indi: Suriyeli çocukların öğretmenleri 'çaresiz'". Archived from the original on 2019-07-24. Retrieved 2022-04-13.
  14. ↑ "Suriyelilere 'plaj' yasağı - Son Dakika Flaş Haberler". 2019-07-24. Archived from the original on 2019-07-24. Retrieved 2022-04-13.
  15. ↑ "Gazipaşa'da Suriyeli sığınmacılara yönelik plaj yasağı reddedildi - Güncel haberler". 2019-07-24. Archived from the original on 2019-07-24. Retrieved 2022-04-13.
  16. ↑ "İzmit'te "ırkçı pastane" iddiaları Kocaeli Haber". 2019-07-24. Archived from the original on 2019-07-24. Retrieved 2022-04-13.
  17. ↑ "Ankara Altındağ'da Suriyelilerin ev ve işyerleri tahrip edildi". www.cumhuriyet.com.tr (in Turkish). 13 August 2021. Retrieved 2022-04-13.
  18. ↑ "Beşiktaş tribünlerinden "Ülkede mülteci istemiyoruz" sloganları atıldı". T24 (in Turkish). Retrieved 2022-04-13.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.